Shopping for the holidays can be hectic.
Stores are crowded, and everyone is in a frenzy to buy the perfect gift.
You think holiday shopping is rough?
Each holiday season is hell for raccoons, dogs, rabbits, foxes, mink and chinchillas in fur farms.
It goes without saying that fur sales will skyrocket in the time around the holidays.
Millions of animals are confined to cramped, filthy cages before being gassed, poisoned, electrocuted and even suffocated to produce fur coats and trim, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
In a season of generosity, gratitude and compassion, why are so many people filling their shopping bags with another animal’s skin?
Fur is a product of abuse that cost an animal its life, freedom and family.
People should know that one fur coat is made from 15 to 65 dead animals, according to the Change for Animals Foundation.
In the U.S., no federal humane slaughter law protects animals on fur factory farms.
Therefore, animals are killed in the cruelest ways possible in order to save money and keep their skins in one piece.
As consumers, we can help animals by keeping fur off of our holiday shopping lists.
A few stores like Victoria Secret, Forever 21 and American Apparel have pledged to keep fur off their shelves.
If the look of fur still appeals to you, there are a variety of cruelty-free alternatives available in some clothing stores.
Synthetic furs are available and oftentimes more affordable.
As a bonus, synthetic furs are free of the dangerous carcinogenic chemicals used to prevent an animal’s flesh from rotting.
Instead of shopping in stores that carry fur, we should spend the holidays with family, friends and loved ones.
To see if your favorite store has pledged to be fur-free, visit the Humane Society of the United States fur-free list.
I encourage you to boycott and write to stores who still carry fur to end their support of this cruel product.
Those who are interested in learning more animal rights should e-mail CSULB’s student organization at ceaseanimaltorture@yahoo.com.
We are an organization dedicated to end animal suffering of all kinds through education and action, until every cage is empty.
Caroline Sanchez is a junior marketing major and a contributing writer at the Daily 49er.
